Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch was not “horsing” around, sharing updates on the two zebras that escaped
KCSO dashcam footage shows one of the excaped Goebbert’s farm zebras walking along the side of the road
PINGREE GROVE – On Sunday, Oct. 3, two young male and female zebras escaped from the Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard farm located at 42W813 Reinking Road in Pingree Grove.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) dispatched deputies to the scene at approximately 5:21 p.m. when a resident notified the department of zebra sightings, said KCSO Chief Deputy Patrick Gengler.
Gengler stated that the zebras were spotted in the area of Route 47 and Reinking Road.
“We notified Goebbert’s and they came out. It took about two hours for them to get [the zebras] caught. We blocked the roads while they were working to get them. Luckily no animals or people were injured. At one point, they almost got onto I90,” said Gengler via email correspondence. “We are very thankful that did not happen.”
Illinois State Police also assisted with the capture, according to Jacob Goebbert, the son of the Goebbert family who owns the Pingree Grove pumpkin patch.
“We’re still kind of doing a little investigating on how [the zebras] actually got out. Whether it was an accident or something else, but honestly, we’re just happy that no human was hurt. No animal was hurt and they’re back in the barn at this point,” Goebbert told My Huntley News.
Goebbert explained that capturing the zebras was just a matter of getting them backed into a fence or something similar so that they would be easier to approach and load into a trailer.
“[The zebras are] safe and healthy. They’ve been checked out and doing very well. You know, [they] got a little exercise but they’re in good shape now,” said Goebbert. “It was [an] event. Like I said, we’re just grateful that the animals are healthy and no humans or anyone was injured in the process as well.”
As a takeaway message to locals, Goebbert said, “If you want to come see the zebras, they’re quite popular. They’re still on the farm and we appreciate all the help from the authorities and neighbors and anyone that lent a hand. We never want to see stuff like that happen, but we’re grateful that it all came to a good conclusion.”
The Pingree Grove Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch is the second Goebbert farm that opened back in 1985 and later expanded to include an apple orchard in 2017. Their first farm is located in South Barrington.
For more information about Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard, visit goebbertspumpkinpatch.com.
